1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

Justin,

Who did you talk to at Paragon? I sent and email and also called their Tech Support. I just spoke to a Mike and he said the clamps they sell are all from the same batch. Said they bought 1,500 in 2009 and have been selling them since. No knowledge of any issues.

Just to make sure, this is a picture of the clamps I am having the issue with.


Lower hose clamp.jpg

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

Don, Your picture seems like the finish of the 58-59E upper hose clamp, which is the smaller diameter "large" spring clamp below. Try yours on the upper hose......If it fits I wonder if Paragon got theirs mixed up, and sent you the earlier upper spring clamps by mistake. Were yours in a Kit?..........Rich

edit.....I missed Justins post. If they admitted they're wrong size why in he!! are they shipping them!!!!

Zip early Clamp Kit 58-59E





Paragon early clamp kit 58-59E

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

Rich, I would believe anything is possible. But I specifically talked to the Tech Support folks about the 1960 Lower Rad Hose clamps. The set that I originally ordered was Paragon 570K pictured below. The uppers are tower clamp type. I just got some individual lower clamps, Paragon 6164 that I ordered. I have not tried to put on the 6164s yet, but they look to be about the same size as the ones I got in the kit. I have one from the kit on the radiator end and it was a huge struggle to get it on, even with help. I lost the other one after it shot off the hose clamp pliers and is lurking somewhere in my garage. So I don't have a loose one from the kit to really compare to the individuals ones I just got from them.

Its going to be another struggle to get the one on the water pump end after I put the radiator back in the car.

hose clamp 2.jpg

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

Don,

Sure sounds frustrating......

A thought. If your lower hose isn't properly aligned to the water pump before you reinstall the rad, your going to have to pull it and redo that lower clamp again.

A while ago I used the Zip kit and the lower spring clamps fit fine. Actually, I use a modern worm clamp on the lower hose as it can't be seen. I only use the spring clamp on the WP.

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

Don,

Sure sounds frustrating......

A thought. If your lower hose isn't properly aligned to the water pump before you reinstall the rad, your going to have to pull it and redo that lower clamp again.

A while ago I used the Zip kit and the lower spring clamps fit fine. Actually, I use a modern worm clamp on the lower hose as it can't be seen. I only use the spring clamp on the WP.

Wish I'd though more about the bottom clamp. Your right, with the from crossmember and then the shroud on, you can't see that clamp.

Don

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

I just went out to the shop and found a spare hose clamp kit I have. It's the 58-59E Zip ZHC-439, like I pictured above.

Using my spring clamp pliers I measured both upper and lower spring clamps with ears fully compressed(i.e. max opening). This is what I get.....

Upper - 2" ID

Lower - 2 1/4" ID

I looked at my '59 engine WP spring clamp on the WP hose, and the ears are apx 1" apart with it clamped tightly to the WP hose. The other '59 I did recently I recall no problems with the WP spring clamp. BTW, I always use a little dab of Permatex Aviation gasket cement on the WP neck and inside the hose as insurance.

Yes it's hard to get the spring clamp on the lower hose onto the radiator even more so when the rad is installed. Even without the shroud. That's another reason I like the modern band hose clamp there.

Rich

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

Rich,

Looks like you hit on it. Here are two pictures of the clamps that Paragon is selling as the lower clamp. ID is 1 3/4" un-compressed and about 2 1/8" with the ears compressed. If you have a change, would you measure the ID of your lower clamp un-compressed.

Thanks,

Don

Clamp 1.jpgClamp 2.jpg

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

Don,

Uncompressed 2" on the lower.

Uncompressed 1 3/4" on the upper.

Based on your measurements, it seems you have Upper clamps for the 58-59E.

Note that it is after I compressed both, as the ID is slightly smaller before compression. They appear to gain some ID after compression and release. Normal effect I guess. I think the important measurement is when compressed, to verify it'll fit over the hose when installed on the neck.

Rich

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

Thanks Rich. I may just go ahead and order some from ZIP.

Don

[Keith R.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

These pictures might explain it all. The Paragon clamps "ears" are significantly closer together than the Zip Corvette clamps. No wonder I couldn't get the Paragon Corvette clamps on!

[Frank D.]

Re: 1960 lower radiator hose clamps giving me fits

That difference in clamps looks pretty incriminating....the last few years I try to only order from Zip or LICS....